From the foregoing description, the action of the springs will be understood. By drawing out the tape, the box b, b, revolves, and acts upon the centre coil of the spring f; this spring acts upon the box g, g, at h; the said box g, g, directly acts upon the external coil of the spring i, which is attached to the hook j, so that, in the action, the revolutions of the tape-winder are divided between the two springs. In order to keep the tape at any required length out of the box, the slide 7, is pushed forward, by means of the stud m, and made to bear against the tape, and prevent it from moving.

The third part of the invention consists in applying the improved spring tape-measure, or any other description of tape-measure, to straight rules, sliding rules, or any other rule or instrument, requiring such an addition. Fig. 6, represents a method of applying a single spring tapemeasure to a two-foot folding rule, so as to make it measure six feet when opened, and the tape drawn out; one spring being quite sufficient for this length. a, is the spring-box, and b, the tape-measure; the whole is covered over with a brass plate, and nothing is seen externally but the end of the tape. Fig. 7, represents a timber-scriber, with the improvement attached; it may also be applied to the handle of a knife, without making it cumbersome.

The fourth and last head of the invention is shewn at figs. 8, and 9. It consists in the application of one, two, or more revolving plates of metal to the improved tapecases or boxes, of the ordinary construction. These plates may be lettered and figured, according to circumstances, or as may be required. In the drawing, an almanac or indicator, for ascertaining the day of the week upon which any day of the month will fall, is shewn, as applied to a tapebox; but it must be evident, that a ready-reckoner, or any other table or tables, may be employed with equal advantage. Sometimes, in place of any table, almanac, or other printed information, a plain sheet of paper, asses'-skin, or other material, is substituted; upon which, memoranda or calculations may be made, and effaced afterwards, when done with. The centre or axle a, fig. 8, of the box, is

surrounded by a male-screw b, which fits into a femalescrew c, on the under part of the side-plate, fig. 9; and when this side-plate is screwed on to the male-screw b, it protects the almanac, indicator, ready-reckoner, or calculating table, from injury.

The patentees claim, Firstly, the method, above described, of making tapes for measuring, consisting either wholly of metal, or partly so, by the introduction of metal wires, open wire fabric, or plates of metal. Secondly, -the construction of spring-tapes, with two or more springs, for the purpose of obtaining sufficient power to wind up a long length of tape, instead of employing a single spring, with wheel-work, as described in the specification of the said James Chesterman's former patent of July 14th, 1829. Thirdly,—the adaptation, or application, of tapemeasures to straight rules, either jointed or otherwise; and also to other articles, or instruments, requiring such addition. Fourthly,—the application of calculating tables, or plain sheets, for calculating, to tape-boxes of any construction whatever, in the manner set forth and described. —[Inrolled in the Rolls Chapel Office, July, 1842.] Specification drawn by Messrs. Newton and Son.

TO WILLIAM HANCOCK, JUN., of King-square, Middlesex, accountant, for an improved description of fabric, suitable for making friction gloves, horse brushes, and other articles requiring rough surfaces.-[Sealed 3rd February, 1841.]

THIS invention consists in the production of a fabric for the above purposes, by weaving, in a similar manner to velvet weaving, the warp of the fabric being composed of fine hempen or cotton yarn, or any other suitable material, and the pile of spun horse-hair, either alone, or combined with spun wool or cotton, or of long horse-hair unspun; the west is made of fine spun hemp, wound on box-wood pipes, and fastened in the shuttle.

The loom, employed for making this fabric, is similar in

VOL. XXII.

2 E

many respects to the velvet-loom, but the harness is hung the same as in the ordinary mat-loom; and as the warp requires to be kept tightly stretched, during the operation of weaving, the warp-bar, warp-roller, breast-bar, and kneeroller of the mat-loom, are substituted for the warp-roller and breast-roller of the velvet-loom. The pile and warp pass from their respective rollers, over the warp-bar, and are entered through the harness and reed, the same as in velvet weaving, and braided down to a piece of sacking, which is brought up across the breast of the knee-roller. In order to fix the horse-hair with greater firmness in the fabric, a weak solution of gum tragacanth, in water, or a solution of caoutchouc, is spread over the warp, between the groundbar and harness, and the weft is saturated with the same. The fabric is woven, as above-mentioned, exactly the same as velvet, and the pile is cut in the ordinary manner.

The patentee claims the application of horse-hair, and of horse-hair in combination with other substances, for the production of the improved description of fabric, suitable for the various purposes mentioned; likewise the alterations in the ordinary velvet looms, when they are made and used in combination with the manufacture of the improved description of fabric.-[Inrolled in the Inrolment Office, August, 1841.]

To JOHN JAMES BAGGALY, of Sheffield, in the county of York, seal engraver, for certain improvements in combs for the hair; and which are also applicable to combing other fibrous substances.-[Sealed 29th January, 1842.]

THIS invention, of certain improvements in combs, consists in the construction and adaptation of a tubular chamber or reservoir, in or contiguous to the back of a comb; which chamber may contain any oily, coloring, or other liquid, that may be required to be applied to hair, or other fibres, in the act of combing. This chamber or reservoir is so constructed, that the oil, or other fluid, contained therein,

may be regularly discharged and supplied, in small quantities, to the teeth of the comb, and, by that means, communicated to the hair, or other fibres, in the act of combing.

In Plate XI., fig. 1, is a longitudinal section of one of the improved combs, shewing the manner of connecting it with the reservoir; fig. 2, is a transverse section of the comb, with its reservoir connected, as in fig. 1; and fig. 3, represents the comb, detached from the reservoir. a, a, is a handle to the comb, having a tube, of a cylindrical or other form, containing the oily or other liquid; which liquid is poured in at one end, on removing a plug or screw-cap; and when full, the plug or cap is replaced. The other end of the tube is furnished with a piston b; by sliding which inwards, the liquid is expressed, through apertures, into a recess, formed in the middle of the comb c, c. The back of the comb is slit or cut vertically, forming a recess therein; which slit must be continued down into the teeth, as seen in figs. 1, and 2, whereby the liquid will be allowed to pass through and flow over the teeth. The slit, in the back of the comb, should be partially occupied with some porous material, such as woollen cloth, leather, or other suitable substance, for the purpose of regulating the supply of the oil, or other liquid, and preventing its flowing too abundantly on to the teeth of the comb. In order that the oil, or other liquid, may be supplied in a regular manner, it is necessary that the reservoir of the instrument should be made air-tight, except at that part which connects it with the back of the comb. The porous material may be applied in a different manner; such, for instance, as by passing it between the teeth of the comb, and, when pressed down to the roots, fastening it back to the sides, which will cause it to form a packing, and prevent the liquid from flowing out at the sides of the comb. Other methods of effecting this object may also be employed; but that found to answer best, is the porous material, assisted by the piston b, as shewn in the drawings. The patentee sometimes introduces stiff bristles between the teeth, or in place of the teeth, of an ordinary comb. After the instrument has been used, the piston should be drawn

back, thereby withdrawing any superabundant fluid, and leaving the comb nearly dry.

The patentee claims the construction of combs, or instruments for combing hair, and other fibrous materials, in which a reservoir or chamber, for containing any oily, coloring, or other liquid, is applied to, or connected with, the comb itself; whereby the oily, coloring, or other liquid, may be delivered to the hair, or other fibrous material, in and during the act of combing, as above described.-[Inrolled in the Petty Bag Office, July, 1843.]

Specification drawn by Messrs. Newton and Son.

TO WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery-lane, in the county of Middlesex, civil engineer, for certain improvements in the process, mode, or method of making or manufacturing lime, cement, artificial stone, and such other compositions, more particularly applicable to working under water, and in constructing buildings and other works, which are exposed to damp,-being a communication.-[Sealed 3rd April, 1841.]

THIS invention, communicated by a certain foreigner residing abroad, consists, Firstly,-in the formation, by certain new processes, of an hydraulic lime and cement, which has the property of becoming hard and solid, when under water, or exposed in damp situations. Secondly,—in the application of the same principles to the hardening of soft stones, for the purpose of making hard artificial stones. Thirdly, in the employment of the same process for hardening wood, and preserving iron from the effects of damp, &c.

The following is the principle upon which the invention is founded, and the methods employed for carrying it into effect: The property which certain sorts of lime possess, of being hydraulic, or hardening under water, is caused by a certain combination of the lime with silica, alumina, and sometimes also with oxide of manganese, and oxide of iron. The object then of this invention, is to facilitate the combination of the lime with those oxides, by means of agents